A Shopify expert can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour, if you are hiring them on an hourly basis. But for a complete project hiring a Shopify expert may cost you around $500 to $2000 & more, depending on the complexity of the project.
Planning to set up a Shopify store, or making improvements to the existing one, hiring a Shopify expert is a great decision. But how much does it cost to hire a Shopify developer? In 2025, the cost to hire a Shopify expert will vary based on the timeline, and complexity of the project. There are many factors involved like experience, the scope of work and the region where the expert is located. This guide will help you understand all the costs related to hiring a Shopify expert. Read on to learn more.
Who is a Shopify Expert, and Why Hire One?
A Shopify expert has the knowledge and needed skills to help you build, setup, optimize and run your Shopify store for your targeted audience. The experts can help you with custom store design, product addition, store optimization, Shopify SEO, creating custom features for your store, integrating apps, and much more. A professional & experienced Shopify expert knows very well how to build a unique store that stand out.
But the question is why hire them? So, tell me, who does not want a professional store? A store that is performing well on search engines, bringing great traffic, sales, and results. We all want that, right? That’s what a Shopify expert can do to your store. From signing up for Shopify to making it a selling store, these experts know how to bring the real results in time. Now let’s discuss the most concerning factor, “The Cost”.
Cost to Hire a Shopify Expert in 2025
The cost of hiring a Shopify expert depends on your requirements. We have broken down the prices into different categories.
1. Hourly Rate
Hourly rates of Shopify experts can vary based on the experience and location. If we talk about the Shopify developer in the USA and UAE both will have higher charges than other countries.
A standard rate for a Shopify developer is $15 to $35 per hour. However, these rates can vary based on the expertise level:
- Beginner: $15 to $20 per hour
- Intermediate: $30 to $50 per hour
- Expert: $90 to $100
There are many expert consultants available in the market who charge more than $110 per hour for their services. But you can easily find a decent Shopify expert under $30 for an hour. You can get your design and customization task done easily.
2. Price According to Project
Every project has different requirements, and it’s good to hire a developer on a project basis. When you have a bigger project, paying on an hourly basis can cost you more compared to the project based. You can get specific design and functionality for your store the way you want. The rate of the developer will be based on the service you choose, the efforts it requires, and the complexity of the project, but you will have to pay a decided amount for the task you have decided on, no matter the hours it takes. Here are some of the basic rates we have mentioned according to the services.
- Custom Theme Development: $500 to $2500
- App Development: $2000 to $25,000
- Shopify SEO Service: $500 to $1500 for a month
3. Salary Base Hiring:
If you are someone who requires continuous updates on your site or is planning long term changes for your store, then hire a Shopify expert on salary basis. This is the best and budget-friendly option when you have a running project. Where can you find one? You can find them on LinkedIn, Upwork, and other hiring sites. The salary of these developers also depends on the work experience.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Hiring a Shopify Expert
There are many factors that influence the cost of hiring a Shopify expert. Here are some of them to consider:
- Experience: A highly experienced expert will charge more than someone who is just starting in the industry.
- Scope of Work: Check the work; if the expert is able to perform more complex tasks or not, like building custom apps, or advanced theme development, it will cost more.
- Project Timeline: If you need the project done quickly, you might have to pay extra to get the things done on deadlines.
- Region: Country and region is one of the factors that influences the prices to an extent.
- Reputation: Experienced and well-known Shopify experts or core Shopify development agencies will charge higher rates due to their reputation, and past project successes.
Shopify Expert Cost According to Region
| Country/Region | Hourly Rate (USD) |
| United States | $50 – $150 |
| Canada | $55 – $100 |
| United Kingdom | $35 – $100 |
| Europe (General) | $45 – $120 |
| Australia | $50 – $170 |
| India | $25 – $80 |
The prices mentioned here are the average hourly rates provided on freelance platforms for Shopify developers. The actual cost may vary depending on the work and other factors.
Shopify Expert Cost vs. DIY Approach
When setting up a Shopify store one of the biggest decisions to make is whether to hire an expert, or try doing it yourself. But everything has some pros and cons. Here are both approaches:
1. Hiring a Shopify Expert
Pros:
- Professional quality work
- Saves time and effort
- Experts can help optimize your store for better performance
- Customization options for advanced features
Cons:
- Higher cost
- The work depends on the availability of an expert
2. Doing It Yourself
Pros:
- Low cost (you just pay for the Shopify subscription)
- Full control over the store setup
Cons:
- Time-consuming
- Requires learning how to use Shopify and its features
- Can result in a less polished store if you don’t have experience
People with a small budget and simple store requirements, doing it yourself might be a great choice. But a professional-looking store needs expert. It requires more complex features; that’s why hiring a Shopify expert is the way to go.
How to Choose the Right Shopify Expert for Your Store
When hiring a Shopify expert here are some of the things you need to look for:
- Experience: First thing first, check the track record of any agency or expert you are hiring. Check the success with Shopify stores and ask for their past work and expertise.
- Specialization: Ask for their specialization; some might be experts in design, and some might be in development or Shopify SEO expert. Choose one whose skills match your requirements.
- Reviews: Look at reviews from previous clients to get an idea of their work quality. Check the reviews of their previous work, or client to get an idea of their work.
- Clear Communication: It’s important to keep clear communication with your expert. Make sure the expert understands your requirements and communicates with you properly throughout the project.
- Budget: Make sure the expert’s rates fit within your budget, and that there are no hidden fees.
Is It Worth the Cost to Hire Shopify Expert?
Want to create a professional looking and well performing store? Work with an experienced Shopify development agency. The cost of an expert varies based on the experience, the complexity of the work and the region they are located in. On average you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 per hour to $200 per hour, depending on where the expert is from. But when you work with a reputable agency you get a lot more experience and services at very reasonable prices.
At Expert Village Media, we are the leading Shopify development agency. With 13+ years of experience in the industry, we provide services like Shopify store development, website redesign, digital marketing, platform migration, app development, website speed optimization, and more. We are 360-degree Shopify and eCommerce experts.
Our experts build a store that is visually appealing and functional and helps you attract more customers and boost sales.
Connect with us at info@expertvillagemedia.com and let’s discuss your next big store.
Amit Porwal
CEO and FounderAmit Porwal is the CEO and Founder of Expert Village Media and Wiser AI . He’s passionate about e-commerce, and loves helping Shopify store owners boost sales with upselling, cross-selling, digital marketing, & personalized shopping experiences. With years of experience in e-commerce web development Amit believes in building simple and effective online store that actually make a difference. He is always excited to talk about the power of personalization and how he can make e-commerce smarter and more customer-friendly with the help of AI.
